77. Today I am grateful for those who fought for our freedom

Harry Johnson, WWI

Today at 11:00 many people paused for two minutes of silence to remember those who have fought to keep our country free. I went to a Remembrance Day ceremony today at the University of Alberta and behind me sat two young children with their grandparents who they talked to them a bit about Remembrance Day and what it meant. The little boy started talking about soldiers and said “Soldiers are people who go to war because they care about their country. Some of them come back and some of them don’t”. I thought that was pretty profound coming from a child who was probably about 5 or 6. I also appreciated that these grandparents where teaching their grandchildren the importance of remembering.   

On Remembrance Day there are two soldiers that I like to take the time to remember: My Grandpa Harry George Arthur Johnson and Great Grandfather Harry Johnson.

Harry G.A. Johnson, WWII

Great Grandpa Harry was born June 25, 1873 in Binfield, Berkshire, England and later moved to Fulham in London. He   served in the First World War with the 1^st battalion of the Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). During his service he became terminally ill and was sent home where he died on April 7, 1917. He is buried in the Fulham old cemetery among the other casualties of the First World War. He left behind a wife and six children, ranging in ages from 7 months old to 14 years old.

Grandpa Harry was born April 16, 1906 in Fulham, London, England. I recently found the ship record that shows that he immigrated to Canada when he was 18 years old. He landed in Halifax and lived in several parts of Canada before settling in Vancouver. When the Second World War broke out, like his father, Harry Jr. also answered the call to serve his country. Grandpa Harry served with the 10th Field Squadron Royal Canadian Engineers. I have his war medals that were given to me by one of my uncles which is a pretty cool heirloom to be in possession of.  I was 6 years old when my Grandpa Harry died but I do have fond memories of him which I am grateful for.

Grave site of Harry Johnson
Fulham, London, England

My Grandpa wanted to be cremated and have his ashes spread across his father’s grave site. My uncle fulfilled his request and took his remains to England. In 2001, I went to London, England with my dad and we visited Great Grandpa Harry’s grave site. In memory of My Grandpa and his service with the Canadian army we placed a small Canadian flag at the grave site.

 I am grateful for the service given by my grandpa and Great Grandpa and hope to pass on their stories to future generations.

Is there anyone in particular that you remember on Remembrance Day? What is their story?

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning
  We will remember them.”

(For The Fallen, Laurence Binyon)